The Ballon d’Or race has taken a dramatic twist following the conclusion of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as 17-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal now tops the rankings a surprise to many considering he did not feature in the tournament.
Yamal’s rise to the summit of the Ballon d’Or leaderboard has ignited fierce debate among fans and pundits alike. While his consistent brilliance throughout the season for both club and country is undisputed, the timing of the Club World Cup — and its immediate aftermath — has shifted attention to other standout performers, particularly Cole Palmer.
The Chelsea midfielder, ranked third, delivered a stellar performance in the final, scoring twice and assisting once in a dominant 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. His showing has been heralded as world-class, but also criticized by some observers as a product of recency bias. Critics argue that while Palmer was exceptional in the final, his overall campaign lacks the sustained impact seen in Yamal’s or even Ousmane Dembélé’s performances.
Dembélé, currently fourth in the rankings, had a remarkable season with PSG and played a pivotal role in their journey to the Club World Cup final. Many argue he deserved more recognition, especially given his dual threat in both Ligue 1 and European competitions.
Chelsea fans, however, have rallied behind Palmer, pointing to his clutch moments throughout the season including in the Premier League and UEFA competitions — and suggesting his influence goes beyond the final itself.
This controversy once again raises questions about the Ballon d’Or criteria. Should a single tournament however high-profile weigh heavily in determining the best player in the world? Or should consistent excellence over an entire season be the gold standard?
With a few months left before the award is announced, the conversation is far from over. But for now, Lamine Yamal stands as the frontrunner a teenage prodigy who could become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history.
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